Leh calm, curfew relaxed in phases

Srinagar: Curfew was relaxed for a few hours in a phased manner on Saturday in Leh, during which residents thronged ATMs, departmental stores and grocery shops to buy essentials. No untoward incident was reported during the period.

The relaxation, on the fourth day of restrictions, followed a security review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta in Leh.

Director General of Police, Ladakh, SD Singh Jamwal said the curfew was lifted for a total of four hours. "The curfew is relaxed for two hours from 1 pm to 3 pm in the first phase in old city areas, followed by another two hours in new areas from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm," Jamwal told reporters. Police and paramilitary forces, however, remained deployed on all major roads.


"We managed to buy some essentials, especially for our babies and kids at home. But the situation is tense as people are angry over the killings of four locals and excessive use of force," said a resident. Another added, "Sonam Wangchuk's arrest won't solve any problem. He represents the aspirations of Ladakhis, which won't die with his arrest."

Curfew was imposed on September 24 after thousands, mainly youngsters, staged violent protests pressing for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, two Lok Sabha seats and a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh. Protesters set the BJP headquarters, the LAHDC building and other offices on fire, besides damaging police and paramilitary vehicles. Security forces opened fire, leaving four dead and about 80 injured, including 30 personnel. The Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance, which have spearheaded Ladakh's peaceful struggle, accused the forces of using indiscriminate force and condemned Wangchuk's arrest under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).

Defending the move, DGP Jamwal described Wangchuk as the "main architect of this violence" who tried to disrupt the ongoing dialogue between Ladakhi representatives and the Centre. He also claimed Wangchuk is being probed for alleged links with Pakistan, citing the arrest of a suspected PIO who circulated his protest videos across the border. "He attended a Dawn event in Pakistan and also visited Bangladesh. There is a big question mark on him," Jamwal said.

So far, 50 people have been arrested in connection with the September 24 violence. Raids and intensified patrolling are continuing to track down those involved.

On the funerals of the four killed, scheduled for September 28 and 29, Jamwal said arrangements were being made for their families and close relatives to participate.